Maayong Kinabuhi Tanan!
How is everyone?!? I am doing absolutely phenomenal! I honestly could not be any happier than I am today. I have so many things to tell you all, but not enough time!!! Let's just start!
Last Friday-Saturday we went on Exchanges. That's where you trade (exchange) companions for a day or two! So I worked with Elder Haws over in Lawaan! It was so fun!!! They have a beach in their area, so we went and walked along the beach and talked to people!
We met a Catholic teacher with his teenage students and it was awesome. He said he thought he would have questions that we couldn't answer. So he tried. We, being the polite, kind, gwapo missionaries that we are, answered ALL of his questions, testified, and realized that he really isn't here to learn or open his heart or thoughts, and so we continued on our way down the beach. It was an amazing experience actually. It is our job as missionaries to find the people who are willing to hear the truth and not reject it. We will not share sacred doctrines and truths with someone who just wants to argue. It is such a testimony builder of the truthfulness of this Gospel. It has every answer to every question. I love it.
Later that night, we had a Signal #2 bagio (storm) which was pretty crazy! Not that crazy, but we got just a little wet haha.
Next, BAPTISM ON SATURDAY!!!! I am so excited!! All systems are a go for the baptism! Devine is ready. She is so excited and we can't wait either! This Saturday, the 8th at 3:00pm.Transfers are coming up next week! Thursday to be exact. So we have Transfer Meeting on Monday. Soooo I kind of have a feeling that I will be leaving, just because of the fact that I just finished my training (12 week program) and typically after that, you get transferred. But who knows? Haha maybe I'll have a surprise for you all next week. Or maybe I get to stay in this wonderful place I call home. Pardo:)I want to touch on a subject really quickly. The Atonement. It's huge.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is what makes it possible for us to repent and become more like our Savior. As I have been out on my mission, my life truly has changed. Every day I have the opportunity to be better. This is because of the Atonement. President Schmutz shared something with us in his workshop last week. It's called "The Tipping Point".
The tipping point is when the Atonement becomes more of a refining process than a big-sin-repenting-process. Of course, we all have things that we can remember that we have done wrong in the past that we know we should repent for. Okay, so do it. After that, don't go back to it. Don't sin that particular sin again. But once we run out of these bigger things that we can remember in our past, what happens to the Atonement?
We arrive at the tipping point. Now we repent every single day for the little things. For thoughts. For words. For mistakes. Just throughout this past day. If we repent every day for the little things, we don't have to worry about big things - we will be clean at the last day. It's beautiful. I repent every day. Every night, I account my day to my Father. I ask for forgiveness for the small things. And I change. The next day is a new day.
Something that I heard a while back was brought to my remembrance this past week. "We just need to try a little bit harder, to be a little bit better every day of our lives." That was from my professor at BYU. That is the Atonement. It is amazing. I invite you all to try it in your lives. It is unbelievable the effect it can have. I love the Atonement. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love you all!!
Alright well that is all the time that I have right now, but know that I love all of you so much!! I constantly think about you all at night, and pray for you, but I know this is where I am meant to be right now. I am giving everything I have to my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Everything. I hope all is well and that you have an amazing week!! Love you!!Love,
Decked out ride!! Elder James Ryan Jacobs
Ugh
Mmmm! Jack Fruit!!
